The audio from our sermons
In Islamic tradition, prayer and other religious practices serve as constant reminders that Muslims have duties to Al-lah. What are these duties? Come find out—the answer will probably surprise you! And what would it look like if we Unitarian Universalists had spiritual practices that reminded us of our faith commitments?
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Current life forms have evolved over millions of years along with gradual climate changes, but one of earth’s species is changing all that. Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide is now at 394 ppm and rising fast. The safe upper limit is 350 ppm. Future generations are at risk. We will present a UU spiritual response to this growing crisis.
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The spiritual theme of the month is transformation. Kristin, Micah and I just moved to a new house and went through all the accordant joys and sorrows of such change. We made a big effort to get rid of the things we didn’t need: give away to friends or the Salvation Army and throw away. Now I feel a new space in my life and joy for simple things which had been lost in clutter. How do these practices and lessons apply to the rest of our lives?
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Ezekiel was in the valley of the dry bones. Rationally nobody figured there could be life again in those bones. Yet with the work of Ezekiel, the wind and the Lord the bones did fully come back to life. Please note this story of resurrection from death to life comes from the Jewish tradition 600 years before Jesus. This Easter Sunday we celebrate all those experiences of transformation out of despair. The resiliency of the spirit is amazing. In the words of Bruce Springsteen, “come on up for the rising. Come on up lay your hands in mine.”
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Theologian Paul Tillich wrote that “Grace strikes us when we are in great pain and restless” and leaves everything “transformed.” This sermon will reflect on what it means for grace to “strike,” and what we can do to be ready for it!
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Let’s face it: Sin Happens. Humans are flawed beings. But love happens too. Is sin inescapable? Is salvation possible? And why is a religious humanist preaching about this stuff anyway? This is the last sermon on “Brokenness,” our March theme of the month.
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This year’s musical service features a suite of pieces called “Songs and Sonnets” by the blind jazz pianist George Shearing. The texts are by William Shakespeare and they are inspiring. The tunes are lilting and the harmonies are close and sweet. The accompanying forces include piano and string bass, and together they really make the voices shine. You’re sure to fall in love with this charming music.
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Unitarians and Universalists have a strong legacy of creating social change by acting on our values, from helping to create the US public education system to recent organizing for marriage equality in Massachusetts, Maryland, and elsewhere. How do we agree on what to do? How does our work for justice fit with the other activities of the congregation? This service will highlight the work accomplished the previous day at the USG Social Justice Forum: Our Congregation, Our Community, Our World.
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After such a great, long career how deeply sad that Joe Paterno’s time as head coach of Penn State Football ended with neglect, abuse and pain. It seems that Joe died of a broken heart. When we reflect honestly we all have wonderful experiences and we all have brokenness. How can we acknowledge our shortfalls and work towards wholeness?
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On this day, when we think about the many blessings of our spiritual community, Rev. Weller, Special Assistant to the UUA President for Stewardship, will talk on The Promise of Yesterday. “We think of ourselves as progressive as a faith movement. And we are! But there are ways in which we are still living into the promise of yesterday. This morning, we’ll explore how Unitarian Universalism reaches around the globe and into our own lives, and we’ll be invited into reflection about the notion of stewardship.
The Rev. Vail Weller serves as Special Assistant to the President for Major Gifts at the Unitarian Universalist Association. As a parish minister, she served congregations in West Virginia, Michigan, and California.
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